Top Video Content Ideas for Local Businesses to Increase Sales

Find video content ideas for local businesses

If you want to attract more customers in your area, exploring video content ideas for local businesses can significantly boost your visibility and sales. By showcasing your products, services, and unique personality through videos, you position yourself as an approachable, trustworthy brand that people in your community can rely on. At Antilles, we often see how local ventures thrive when they supplement their existing marketing strategies with well-structured, engaging videos. Through tailored treatments—ranging from testimonial clips to in-depth explainer content—you can create the support necessary for lasting connection and revenue growth. Below, you will discover several video types, their best use cases, and tips for integrating them into your broader campaign strategy.

Build trust with testimonial videos

Testimonial videos can powerfully reflect the satisfaction and loyalty of your customers. By sharing personal accounts of how your products or services resolved real challenges, these videos establish credibility in a way that most marketing content cannot match.

Why testimonial videos matter

They are authentic: Prospects want to hear genuine stories, and 79% of people prefer video testimonials to learn more about a company or product (Storyprompt). Instead of relying solely on polished ads, you can offer relatable voices from actual clients.
They simplify decision-making: About 47% of consumers prefer testimonial videos because they help visualize product benefits, making it easier to understand your value.
They create emotional resonance: Hearing and seeing real customers share their joy and relief encourages viewers to trust your brand on a deeper level.

How to create testimonial videos effectively

Prepare open-ended questions: Prompt your customers to describe their struggles, how you offered solutions, and what improvement they have noticed since.
Focus on story: Use a beginning (the user’s main issue), middle (how you helped solve it), and end (the transformation they experienced). This arc mirrors a compelling narrative that resonates.
Add captions and branding: Include short subtitles so viewers can follow along even without sound. Logos or onscreen text can reinforce your brand identity. If you need more in-depth pointers, see how to create testimonial videos that build trust.
Optimize for SEO: When posting to social channels or YouTube, ensure your title and description contain relevant keywords. Also, consider linking to more of your content, such as how to structure a video funnel so leads can move seamlessly through your marketing journey.

Reveal authenticity with behind-the-scenes (BTS) content

Behind-the-scenes (BTS) footage highlights your passion, challenges, staff interactions, and everyday operations. Sharing these hidden corners of your business fosters a supportive environment that empowers audiences to feel included and invested in your story. This increased transparency and relatability can lead to higher retention and customer loyalty.

Building transparency and trust

Show your process: Whether roasting coffee beans, assembling handmade items, or welcoming new employees, you offer insight into how carefully you handle your craft.
Humanize your brand: About two-thirds of small-business owners (67%) find TikTok to be the best platform for behind-the-scenes content (Forbes). Viewers appreciate authenticity, so unfiltered snippets of your daily operation show genuine effort and passion.
Foster a sense of teamwork: Reminding viewers that your local business is a group of enthusiastic people encourages empathy. That sense of camaraderie can inspire positive word of mouth.

Practical steps to create behind-the-scenes videos

Keep it concise: Attention spans can be short, so aim for 1-2 minutes of focused content.
Use your smartphone: A polished presentation is valuable, yet approachable, quick BTS videos can be just as effective.
Highlight milestones: Showcasing significant events, like launching a new product or celebrating an anniversary, adds excitement.
Integrate or re-share on TikTok, Reels, or Stories to multiply engagement. For more ideas, feel free to explore short form video strategy for reels and tiktok and discover how quick clips can deepen connections with local audiences.

Showcase value with explainer videos

Explainer videos let you clearly demonstrate how people can benefit from your products or services, turning complex ideas into short, easy-to-digest visuals. They can be animated, live-action, or a mixed format, depending on what suits your brand and audience.

Display product benefits with clarity

Provide step-by-step revelations: Map out the user’s potential problem and show how your solutions address it, so the viewer sees direct value.
Incorporate social proof: If relevant, weave in a brief customer quote. This blends testimonial power with the educational tone of an explainer to reinforce credibility.
Increase retention rates: People retain about 80% of visual information versus only 20% from text alone (Storyprompt). Hoisting your product’s features in a visual story makes it more memorable.

Format tips: hooks, CTAs, and captions

Start strong: Grab attention in the first few seconds with a bright color, bold statement, or easy-to-spot problem your audience wants solved.
Offer a clear call to action: Lead viewers to request a demo, sign up for a free trial, or visit your storefront. Connect your CTA to the content, so it feels organic.
Use subtitles: Subtitles can keep engagement up, even if someone watches on mute. Check out how to add captions and subtitles to your videos if you need a step-by-step guide.

When you blend these best practices with on-page SEO, you strengthen your local search rankings and help potential customers find your brand more easily. Antilles integrates these same principles into SEO and ad campaigns, ensuring your explainer videos appear whenever someone nearby needs your products.

Enlighten audiences with tutorial videos

Tutorial videos go further than explainers, guiding viewers through a process or skill set in detail. By breaking down multifaceted concepts, you offer more comprehensive care for your audience, equipping them to overcome unique challenges in a step-by-step manner.

Turning complex ideas into simple steps

Show real usage: Demonstrate exactly how to use a product. This might include angles of various steps, helpful on-screen text, or even live narration.
Address frequent questions: People often turn to search engines with “how to” queries. If you tailor your tutorial topics to reflect these queries, you stand a better chance of appearing in search results.
Boost your credibility: Offering free how-to content positions you as an authority. Viewers appreciate your support, building trust in your professional expertise.

SEO best practices for tutorial videos

Use relevant tags and descriptions: Incorporate local terms or precise product names to help your target audience find you. For instance, “How to frost cupcakes [YourCity bakery tips].”
Embed the video on your site: Pair videos with text-based summaries, making your page more search-friendly.
Encourage deeper engagement: Add links to relevant resources such as how to write a video script that converts or video gear setup for beginner marketers. This approach keeps users engaged with your brand.

Tutorial videos also help streamline customer support. By reducing confusion and enabling viewers to solve issues themselves, you foster empowerment, saving resources for everyone involved.

Engage customers with live video streams

Live streams create immediate and personal connections by letting you address your audience’s concerns in real time. Whether you’re launching a product or hosting a Q&A, live videos capture attention and often rank higher in social media feeds.

Encouraging real-time engagement

Prompt direct interactions: Imagine announcing a storewide sale or unveiling a new service live. Viewers can offer feedback, ask questions, and share excitement at that very moment.
Spark discussions: Hosting interviews or panels with local experts not only promotes your expertise but also strengthens community ties.
Remain flexible: Be prepared for unpredictable questions or technical hitches. Often, genuine off-the-cuff replies build trust and authenticity.

Essential tips for a successful broadcast

Plan the topic: Give your viewers a reason to join. Advertise your theme or event date early on.
Check your tech: A strong internet connection, clear audio, and good lighting help you appear professional.
Keep your replay relevant: After your live feed ends, post it for later viewing. You can also share it on YouTube. For deeper insights into video strategy across channels, explore when to use live video in your strategy.

Leverage user-generated content for authenticity

User-generated content (UGC) arises naturally whenever real customers post about your services or products. By harnessing the power of UGC—like social media shoutouts, unboxing videos, or brand mentions—you reflect transparent customer feedback, fueling organic promotion. Applebee’s, for instance, used TikTok clips from real people in a TV campaign, spotlighting authenticity and relatability (Forbes).

Unfiltered testimonials from customers

Request permission: Before using a customer’s photos or videos, ensure you have their explicit approval.
Show varied backgrounds: Showcase diverse client stories, revealing how your product or service can fit many lifestyles or needs.
Tag and credit original creators: Acknowledge the individuals who contributed content, preserving authenticity and respect.

Leveraging your community’s stories

Local events: If you sponsor or attend local gatherings, gather short clips that highlight your involvement and help potential customers see your supportive environment in action.
Contests and challenges: Encourage your audience to post themed videos or photos. Incentivize them with giveaways or small rewards.
Integrate seamlessly: Include these UGC clips into your official marketing channels when relevant. You can emphasize them on your website’s home page, in an email campaign, or within an educational video. This collaborative approach fosters the sense of belonging often needed for lasting loyalty.

Grow visibility with short-form videos

Short-form videos, like TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts, can be a great way to reach viewers who may prefer quick bursts of engaging content over lengthier formats. By aligning your content with trending local or industry hashtags, you get on people’s radars faster.

Choosing the right platform

TikTok: About 15% of all adults and 36% of Gen-Z have made purchases based on TikTok content, proving its powerful influence (Forbes).
Instagram Reels: Great for accumulating quick views and instant engagement, with a massive user base interested in visually appealing videos.
YouTube Shorts: This is YouTube’s short video platform. If you already have a channel, Shorts can help attract a different subset of viewers. See how to get more views on youtube shorts for additional tips.

Attention-grabbing hooks that convert

Aim to captivate in the first three seconds. A strong visual opener or solution-based question can stop viewers from scrolling.
Add text pop-ups to highlight your main message or CTA.
Use energetic music or upbeat narration that aligns with the brand mood and the short-run length.
Provide a clear next step, such as “Visit us today” or “Check out how to promote your videos after publishing.” Short-form videos may be quick, but they still need direction to help viewers move forward.

Optimize your content for search engines

Even the most compelling videos need a solid distribution and optimization plan. By applying video SEO fundamentals, you increase the likelihood that local customers will stumble upon your content right when they need you.

Video SEO fundamentals

Strategic titles and descriptions: Incorporate local-based keywords and relevant phrases. For instance, “How to pick the right hiking boots in Pittsburgh” clarifies location.
Transcripts: Include a written transcript of every video, boosting accessibility and indexing.
Thumbnail best practices: Use a clear, high-contrast image that conveys what your video is about.

Additionally, consider linking your videos to blog posts. For instance, you might embed your short behind-the-scenes clip in a related article before publishing it. If you want a deeper dive, explore how to optimize youtube videos for seo.

Integrating video with ad campaigns

At Antilles, we recommend pairing your organic video strategies with targeted paid ads. By highlighting your new tutorial or testimonial, you ensure it reaches a broader audience in your immediate region. Some tips:

Segment your audience by location, age, or interests.
Experiment with short, snappy intros that match the initial hook of your full video.
Track ROI meticulously. If you’re uncertain how to gauge returns, check out how to measure video marketing roi.

This approach helps you refine user engagement data and improve your entire funnel, from discovery to purchase.

Encourage conversion with video funnels

A well-planned video funnel can guide your audience through each stage of awareness, consideration, and decision. Think of it as a tailored treatment path that addresses different needs over time, ultimately paving the way toward sustained growth.

Basic funnel structure

Awareness: Quick, eye-catching brand videos or behind-the-scenes peeks.
Consideration: In-depth tutorials or testimonial videos that educate and reinforce trust.
Decision: Personalized offers or product demos that show real value.

For a more detailed exploration of creating this journey, see how to structure a video funnel.

Common pitfalls to avoid

Overlooking CTAs: Ensure each video offers a logical next step or resources.
Inconsistent tone: Strive for a cohesive brand identity, from your short clips to your long tutorials.
Neglecting feedback: Regularly check your comments, social media messages, and analytics. By listening to your audience, you can adapt quickly and refine your funnel as needed.

Repurpose content for extra mileage

Recycling your existing materials into video or vice versa can save you time and maximize impact. This is especially valuable for small teams or solo entrepreneurs who need to stretch resources.

Transforming blog posts into videos

Pull key points: Extract data or highlights from your blog.
Add visuals: Turn those highlights into slides, images, or short animations.
Reinforce internal links: Mention references to supporting guides, such as repurposing blog posts into video content and how to create educational content with video.

Diversifying existing videos

Convert a long webinar into social-friendly clips.
Compile quick Q&A segments into a single highlight reel.
Reuse testimonies across multiple platforms, adjusting length and format as needed.

By intentionally repurposing, you maintain a consistent presence across different channels without duplicating your effort, allowing your business to scale more easily.

Conclude with an empowered local strategy

Developing strong relationships with nearby customers often lies in showcasing who you are, what you do, and why you do it in a supportive, empathetic way. By blending testimonial videos, behind-the-scenes previews, explainers, tutorials, and user-generated content, you can address the unique array of concerns that local communities might have, providing the comprehensive care they need to trust you.

When you combine these video content ideas with local SEO efforts and targeted ad campaigns, you strengthen your brand even further. At Antilles, we integrate these methods by focusing on search optimization, captivating hooks, and carefully crafted calls to action. As you continue to produce and refine your videos, remember to remain flexible, track performance, and adjust your approach based on real feedback. In doing so, you create a valuable, individualized plan for each segment of your audience, driving deeper connections and enduring growth in your local market.